Former WR believes Stefon Diggs trade was influenced by Bills' postseason rival
This offseason, the salary-cap-strapped Bills have been forced to move on from several key players, including wide receiver Gabe Davis, center Mitch Morse, linebacker Leonard Floyd, cornerback Tre'Davious White and safety Jordan Poyer.
Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs joined that growing list on Wednesday when Buffalo decided to trade him and a pair of late-round picks to the Houston Texans for a 2025 second-round pick.
Many have been speculating why the Bills were so willing to move on from Diggs since their wide receiver room is now highlighted by Curtis Samuel, who just joined the team from Washington this offseason, 2022 fifth-round pick Khalil Shakir and 30-year-old Mack Hollins.
Some have suggested the team wanted to continue digging itself out of its financial hole while others believe the former All-Pro wide receiver was simply no longer happy in Buffalo.
Former three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson thinks it didn't have to do with that either, however.
"It's something deeper. I can't sit and tell you I know ... but it was just more of him wanting to win I think," Jackson said on the "Up & Adams" podcast. "I don't feel like he thought they were going to be able to beat the Chiefs."
It's quite a bold statement by Jackson, but at the same time, it's certainly possible that's how Diggs felt.
In three out of the past four years, the Bills' season was ended by the Chiefs in the playoffs. Buffalo has simply not been able to get over the hump that has been Kansas City. Thus, Diggs might have wanted to go somewhere he thought would give him the best chance to do so.
The Texans are building something special as Diggs is joining an already talented offense that includes 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud at QB, former Bengals running back Joe Mixon, wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz.
Diggs may only have the 2024 season to try and overtake the Chiefs with Houston, however. As part of the trade, the Texans wiped out the final three years on Diggs' contract, giving him the ability to become a free agent after this season, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Houston could always re-sign Diggs, but for now, he is only guaranteed one year with the team. The 30-year-old must be hopeful his new team will finally be the difference to hoist a Vince Lombardi Trophy.
"The AFC conference is the Chiefs," Jackson finished. "I think he would rather go with the young quarterback and a new team that's thriving instead of staying with the Bills where, every year, they're getting beat by the Chiefs."
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